I love late spring when blooms are in abundance and the weather is super comfortable.
But my "garden lust" kicks into high gear the last week of July ... I'm not kidding ... it is that specific. I can almost identify the exact day each year when it all comes together deliciously.
And last night was that night.
Here in New Jersey, we have had a scorching hot summer with little rain. It's been a challenge to keep all of the plants watered and looking presentable. There have been times where I wanted to give up and throw in the trowel.
But this past week, we have been inundated with rain and ironically, it has taken a few days for the plants to bounce back from the powerful winds and pounding rain. But once they did bounce back, things were in fine working order.
All was good as I dashed outside with the camera late yesterday afternoon.
- The grasses are all at a substantial size
- The fall blooming perennials are just starting to reveal their buds
- The summer blooming perennials keep on keeping on
- The deciduous shrubs are still holding on to their foliage color before the inevitable late summer decline.
Put that all together and you've got fantastic garden vignettes looking all healthy and lush and crap. Yeah buddy!
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' and Ninebark 'Summer Wine'
Penstemon 'Husker's Red', Pennisetum 'Karley Rose', Panicum 'Rotstrahlbusch' and Miscanthus 'Variegatus'.
Viburnum 'Emerald Lustre', Itea 'Henry's Garnet', Amsonia tabernaemontana, Miscanthus 'Variegatus' and assorted others
Panicum 'Northwind', Itea 'Henry's Garnet', Amsonia tabernaemontana, Northern Sea Oats, Viburnum 'Emerald Lustre' and Miscanthus 'Variegatus'
More of the same
Miscanthus 'Morning Light', Joe Pye Weed 'Gateway' and Panicum 'Northwind'
Joe Pye Weed 'Gateway' and Miscanthus 'Morning Light'
Viburnum 'Aurora', Miscanthus 'Gracillimus' and Althea 'Lavender Chiffon'
Purple Coneflowers, Achillea 'Moonwalker' and Sedum (cultivar unknown)
Weigela 'Wine and Roses', Purple Coneflowers and Russian Sage
Panicum 'Rotstrahlbusch', Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Achillea 'Moonwalker', Sorghastrum 'Sioux Blue', Weigela 'Wine and Roses', Purple Coneflowers and Russian Sage
Good times indeed.
John
